FALLEN by David Baldacci
David Baldacci is one of the most consistently good mystery writers on the scene today. He is especially adept at writing the Amis Decker series. In the latest Decker novel, FALLEN, we are once again caught up in the thrill of watching FBI employee Decker and his partner Alex Jamison solve a series of crimes. It is amazing how Baldacci manages to let the “memory man” work his magic in a completely inviting and engrossing way.
This time out Decker and his partner are in the small town of Baronville, Pennsylvania. They are visiting Alex’s sister and her family and the days spent there are considered by the Bureau to be vacation time. Amos is a man who does not do vacations well. He doesn’t like to be idle and has only come along because he felt coerced by his partner.
In less than twenty-four hours Decker has stumbled upon a double killing in the town. And once he is involved he has to be totally involved. The local police accept his offer of assistance and welcome he and Alex into their fold. Almost immediately they learn there have been four other recent murders in this slowly dying town.
Baronville was once a mecca of economic growth. The first John Baron developed mills and plants and the town was booming. But some unwise judgments led to the plants closing and the Baron family losing their wealth. When they came up short so did the town. Now poverty is rampant and opioids have seeped into the community.
Alex’s sister, husband and niece are new arrivals in the town. They have settled there hoping to grow with a new industry which has been established. But the news of six murders makes them reconsider their decision.
With barely any introduction Baldacci plunges the FBI team into the mysteries of the murders and takes off from there. Decker is able to use his ability to remember any and all things which is the result of a football injury. He also associates different colors with different events. It is a strange skill set he possesses but one that has served him well in the past.
FALLEN is another example of what a skillful writer Baldacci is. Nothing is extraneous in his storytelling. He gives the reader information as the characters obtain information. Each step leads into the next step and each action has an acknowledged reaction. It is all virtually precise and perfect.
In this book relationships are key. Amos Decker has a problem showing his emotions. This has been the case in all the previous books where his is the main character. But there have been evolving chinks in his armor. In FALLEN the scenes between Amos and Alex’s young niece Zoe show how kind and tender this mountain of a man can be. They are beautifully written and emotionally challenging to read, and make FALLEN one of Baldacci’s best efforts yet.
David Baldacci is a man who writes with his heart, his brain and his gut. He always sets a high bar of entertainment, information and emotional content. FALLEN moves that bar a little bit higher for whatever stories are to come.
FALLEN is published by Grand Central Publishing. It contains 432 pages and sells for $29.00.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
